SF Teriyaki Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Issues

Balboa Teriyaki in San Francisco's Outer Richmond district received a conditional pass during a routine health inspection on November 25, 2025, after addressing several minor food safety violations that allowed the Japanese restaurant to remain open while working toward full compliance. The inspection, conducted between 1:30 PM and 2:35 PM at the establishment located at 3536 Balboa Street, identified six total violations that required attention but did not pose immediate health risks warranting closure. Two major violations were corrected on-site during the inspection, while four minor issues remain to be addressed in the coming weeks.

Inspector Findings and Immediate Corrections

During this inspection, the health department discovered the facility lacked proper sanitizer buckets for food preparation areas. The restaurant operator immediately prepared adequate sanitizer solutions and placed them at appropriate stations throughout the kitchen, earning correction-on-site status for this critical food safety measure. A second major violation involved improper food storage practices, where raw eggs were positioned above ready-to-eat foods in the reach-in refrigerator, creating potential cross-contamination risks. The operator promptly relocated the eggs to the lowest shelf, following proper food safety protocols that require raw proteins to be stored below prepared foods. The inspection also revealed that teriyaki sauce holding units were positioned directly underneath hand-washing sinks, which could lead to contamination from splashing water and soap. Restaurant staff immediately moved the sauce dispensers to the cook-line area, eliminating the potential for cross-contamination between hand-washing activities and food service.

Outstanding Minor Violations

Four minor violations remain to be corrected within the required timeframe. The restaurant currently lacks valid food safety manager certification, though staff members possess current food handler cards. Management has two weeks to provide proper documentation of manager-level food safety training. The facility also needs to post consumer advisory notices on menus, informing customers about potential risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked foods. The required disclosure must state: "Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions." Cleaning violations include grease and food buildup on cook-line equipment, refrigerator handles, and fryer service compartments. Additionally, inspectors observed the use of cardboard egg carton flats to absorb oil from tempura preparation, which violates health codes requiring durable, easy-to-clean, and non-absorbent materials. The inspector recommended replacing cardboard with proper baking trays and racks for oil drainage.

Neighborhood Dining Continues

Located near the 38 Geary bus line, Balboa Teriyaki serves the Outer Richmond community with traditional Japanese cuisine including teriyaki dishes and tempura preparations. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to continue normal operations while addressing the identified issues. This marks the first recorded inspection for the establishment in the city's database, indicating either a new business or recently transferred ownership. The restaurant is owned by Hana John Inc and can be reached at (415) 585-3008. The conditional pass demonstrates the restaurant's commitment to food safety compliance while maintaining service to neighborhood residents. Follow-up inspections will verify that all outstanding violations have been properly addressed, with the goal of achieving full compliance status. Health department officials note that conditional passes allow restaurants to continue serving customers safely while making necessary corrections to achieve full regulatory compliance within specified timeframes.